How do you do?

Well hi there, thanks for stopping by. I thought, seen as you’ve made the effort to stop by, I’d fill you in on where I am in this journey called life.

Let’s start with the name of this site. Campbell is my married name which I acquired nearly 6.5 years ago now. When I got married I couldn’t wait to take my husband’s name. It was always my plan. However, there’s no getting away from my strong connection to my maiden name, Briscoe. It’s part of me, Campbell is my wig but Briscoe is my natural hair.

I love nothing more than researching my family history and I’ve managed to put together quite an extensive family tree that shows several generations of Briscoe’s. It’s fascinating stuff, it really is. There’s so much information to be gleaned from historical records and the Family Search website is amazing for uncovering details.

What else can I tell you? Unlike many people I don’t make New Year’s resolutions but I do like to make them on my birthday each year. This year was particularly significant because I turned 40. I feel like it should have been some sort of momentous event but it all passed by in a rather lowkey fashion. So no huge party or holiday of a lifetime but I made the resolution to lose weight.

It’s a cliche, I know, but I look back of pictures of myself just after having my first child and I want to be that size. I know what I need to do to get there – I just need to get on and do it. So far it’s a slow process but I’ve been spurred on by my recent NHS Healthcheck (great initiative by the way). I can do this!

So in the 6.5 years since becoming a Campbell I’ve made some pretty significant changes. The first of which was to become a mother, twice over. Two children, 18 months apart, was a massive change for me but a great one. I couldn’t imagine not being a Mum now. I’m learning new parenting skills all the time and as they grow I’m growing as a parent.

Whilst on my second maternity leave I took the decision to undertake a qualification to help me change careers. My children were 4 months and 22 months old when I started studying the Level 4 Diploma in School Business Management (formerly the CSBM). It was tough. Nobody wants to be writing assignments after having stayed up all night breastfeeding on demand. At one point I thought I wouldn’t make it. I was tired and wanted to defer. Thankfully I made it through and managed to submit all my assignments on time.

While I waited anxiously for my final results I saw an advert for a School Business Manager in a local primary school. My recent studying had boosted my confidence so I downloaded the form and submitted an application. I was shortlisted and invited for interview. God was smiling on me on the day of the interview and I presented myself  well enough to be offered the job. I was overjoyed but also petrified. After 12 years in the same department in the Council I was about to leap in to the unknown but this is what I wanted – to be a School Business Manager. Yippee, good times ahead. Bring on the new chapter of my (working) life.

So we’ve covered my marital/parental status, my weight and my job. Anything else you want to know about? Just ask. Drop me a line.